Missouri voters adopt same-sex marriage ban; other votes to follow

Published: 2004-08-04

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Heeding the recommendation of the state's Catholic bishops, Missouri voters overwhelmingly approved a state constitutional amendment that defines marriage as the union of a man and a woman. The Aug. 3 vote was 71 percent in favor of the amendment and 29 percent against, according to unofficial state tallies. The Missouri amendment states: "That to be valid and recognized in this state, a marriage shall exist only between a man and a woman." Similar amendments were set for votes later this year in at least nine states. An amendment in Michigan is awaiting formal approval to be placed on the ballot there. In a June 28 message, the bishops of Missouri's four Catholic dioceses had said support of the amendment "will help to preserve the integrity of marriage and family life."

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